How much light will I need?

[Ruth]

If you are running 400W lights on that size of a tank I don't think it is going to matter that much if they are DE or SE it's going to get HOT.

[Manny]

Will a 400watt light ad more heat than two 250watt lights. I already have two 250watt SE lights and if the 250watt lights are going to be cooler than I will just use those.
I am hoping that I will not have to run a chiller. My tank that I have at my old house tops out at about 82 and my new place is much cooler as it never gets direct sunlight.

[StirCrazy]

seeing as you are running a 2'x2'x2' cube you can use one 250watt HQI fixture and you will have all the light you need.

Steve

[TheReefGeek]

If you already have a 250w SE, why not just use one of those?

Build a little hanging fixture with glass or acrylic on the bottom, and a fan and vent hole, and heat should not be an issue.

[G1GY]

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

If you already have a 250w SE, why not just use one of those?

Build a little hanging fixture with glass or acrylic on the bottom, and a fan and vent hole, and heat should not be an issue.

Whenever you add glass or acrylic to a fixture you are adding a filter. Same deal when you use a glass top.

[TheReefGeek]

Yes, it decreases the light a bit, but compared to overheating your tank it is worth it IMO.

[G1GY]

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

Yes, it decreases the light a bit, but compared to overheating your tank it is worth it IMO.

Probably better off to just run a small computer fan between the the fixture and the aquarium to push the heat away. This will allow to keep the full benifitof the light.